Phoebe

Phoebe stands out as a unique celestial body with intriguing features. Its irregular and retrograde orbit, orbiting in the opposite direction to Saturn's rotation and its other moons, suggests a potential origin from the outer solar system, possibly the Kuiper Belt. Discovered by William Henry Pickering in 1899, Phoebe's surface showcases a blend of heavily cratered regions and smoother areas, hinting at a history of impacts and subsequent resurfacing. Notably, the Cassini spacecraft conducted a close flyby of Phoebe in 2004, yielding detailed imagery and data that unveiled the moon's composition and surface characteristics. Phoebe's composition is believed to include water ice, carbon dioxide, iron, and organic compounds, further supporting its potential Kuiper Belt origin. The moon's capture by Saturn's gravity is favored over in situ formation due to its unique orbit and composition. Its interactions with Saturn's ring system, particularly the A Ring, also contribute to its significance.